Dr. Omar Mohammad, a Professor of Middle East History at Sciences Po, emphasized that the Jewish heritage is inseparable from the broader Iraqi national identity, according to reporting by France 24.
Dr. Mohammad noted that this deep history connects Iraq to the Babylonian Empire, representing a continuous presence of approximately 2,500 years. This historical continuity underscores the significance of the community to the region's foundational culture.
He described the Iraqi Jewish community before the 1940s as being significantly integrated into the country's social structures. This integration extended across cultural, educational, economic, and political dimensions of Iraqi society at the time.
Dr. Mohammad stated that during his own childhood, he was reportedly unaware of the historical presence of a substantial Jewish community within Iraq. His later academic focus shifted toward recognizing this vital, yet often obscured, historical presence.
This perspective challenges simpler, more recent national narratives that exclude or minimize the contributions of minority groups to state formation. For historians, the evidence points toward a multi-layered cultural inheritance.
The historical assessment by scholars like Dr. Mohammad provides context for current discussions regarding cultural preservation and minority rights within the Middle East.
Moving forward, acknowledging this extensive historical tapestry is crucial for developing a comprehensive understanding of modern Iraqi demographics and cultural output.
